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Not Proud and Demanding (Metta Sutta #11)

This is a part of a series going line by line from the Metta Sutta. It starts here.

Not proud and demanding in nature

This line is an incredible gift to everyone around you. But it’s easy to forget that it is a spiritual practice. Not just good advice! Many of the teachings of Buddhism are found in other, or even all of the great spiritual or ethical traditions of the world. They are not unique but are still a positive practice. Being demanding is a sign of immaturity. It’s your way of telling the world that your needs are more important than everyone else.

Babies are the most selfish creatures on this earth. Of course they are! They have nothing to give. And they require constant attention and care to live. Nobody begrudges a baby its selfishness. One of the most important teachings for monastics is to live with little and avoid constant begging for more. Although they (like babies! like us all!) are dependent on everyone else to survive, their training is to accept only the minimum amount needed to survive and thrive. Instead of honoring and being awed by people who can afford expensive cars and houses, we should remember what they are: babies who take more than they need, while others starve.

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2 thoughts on “Not Proud and Demanding (Metta Sutta #11)”

Thank you for this extended exploration. I have been looking for a Theravadan chant of the Metta Sutta, but no luck finding one that includes the pronunciation and English translation without flaky music in the background. If you have a video you recommend, please share. Also, please do not search on my behalf. Just share if you’ve found such a chanting video. Thank you.